THE family of missing chef Claudia Lawrence last night reacted with delight to the news that a £10,000 reward for information has been renewed.

Two weeks ago the withdrawal of the reward, offered by charity Crimestoppers, had left them shocked and devastated.

But yesterday it was announced it had been reinstated, for at least three months, following an application from North Yorkshire Police.

The man leading the inquiry, Detective Superintendent Ray Galloway, said they were grateful to the charity for their support.

"The investigation remains active and lines of inquiry continue to be pursued," he said.

"The reward offers an incentive to anyone out there who has yet to come forward with the crucial piece of information which will lead us to solving Claudia’s disappearance.

"It offers us a vital tool with which to boost the flow of information into the investigation and for that we are very grateful."

Martin Dales, spokesman for Claudia’s father Peter, said the news had come as a surprise and the family were very relieved.

"It came as quite a shock when it was withdrawn so Peter is delighted," he said.

"This reward could be just what it takes to encourage someone to come forward and finally bring this mystery to an end."

He said approaches were also being made to other sources in the hope of making the reward even higher in an effort to tempt someone to come forward.

The reward is being offered for information provided to Crimestoppers that results in the arrest and conviction of whoever was responsible for Claudia’s disappearance.

The chef, who would now be 36, was last seen in March last year after finishing her shift at York University.

Her parents were originally from Darlington although she was brought up in Malton before she moved to Heworth, York.

Despite one of the biggest investigations held in North Yorkshire for years the circumstances around her disappearance are still a mystery and police are treating the case as one of suspected murder.

Anyone with information that could help is asked to contact police on 0845 6060 247 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111